Water-based drilling fluid compositions and methods for drilling subterranean wells

A method of drilling a subterranean well, the method comprising:

• operating a drill in a subterranean formation in the presence of a water-based drilling fluid, where the water-based drilling fluid comprises:
• an aqueous base fluid;
• one or more additives;
• and
• a lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil in an amount of from 0.1 vol. % to 10 vol. % relative to the total volume of the water-based drilling fluid, where at least 90% of the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil has a melting point less than or equal to 15° C.;
• wherein the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil comprises at least oleic acid and palmitoleic acid;
• and
• wherein one or both of:
• the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil comprises oleic acid in an amount of from 75 vol. % to 99 vol. % relative to the total volume of the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil;
• or
• the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil comprises palmitoleic acid in an amount of from 1 vol. % to 25 vol. % relative to the total volume of the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil.